Adding Layers

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{{Title|Adding Layers}}
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{{Navigation|Category:Manual|Doc:Creating_Shapes}}
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[[Category:Manual]]
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[[Category:Tutorials]]
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[[Category:Tutorials Basic]]
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== Introduction ==
  
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In the {{l|Doc:Animation_Basics|previous tutorial}}, you made your first simple animation by changing the attributes of {{l|Primitive Layer|primitive}} objects, such as: position, color, and size. These simple types, however, are seldom sufficient to create advanced characters and objects. To do so, Synfig uses {{l|Layer|layers}}. They are similar to layers used in other drawing applications in that they are used to separate different elements of an image.
  
== Introduction ==
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However, Synfig's layers have following important specific:
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# Every object or {{l|Primitive Layer|element}} gets its own layer.
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# You can organize layers into hierarchical groups.
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# You can use upper layers to change the behavior (or look) of underlying layers. Those are called {{l|Filter Layer|filter layers}} or effect layers.
  
In the [[Animation Basics|previous tutorial]], you made a first simple animation by changing the attributes of primitive objects such as its position, color, and size. These simple types, however, are seldomly sufficient to create advanced characters and objects. To do so, Synfig uses [[Layers]]. They are similar to layers known from other drawing application such as the GIMP, for instance.
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As you will see, layers are an extremely important aspect of Synfig, much more so than most graphics programs. Understanding the concept of layers is an important part in understanding how Synfig works.
  
However, Synfig is different to simple layers in at least two respects:
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== Combining layers ==
# You can organize layers into hierachical groups.
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# You can use upper layers to change the behaviour (or look) or underlying layers.
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Doing so is quite easy. Let's look at a simple example.
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So let's look at a simple example of how we can combine two layers to create a gradient effect on a rectangle.
  
# Create a new file with 0 duration. There's no need to bother with a timeline at this point.
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Create a new file with any duration. There's no need to bother with a timeline at this point. Next, create a simple rectangle with the {{l|Rectangle Tool}}.  
# Create a simple rectangle.
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[[Image:Adding-layers-tutorial-1 0.63.06.png|frame|center]]
  
== Combining Layers ==
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Pick the {{l|Gradient Tool|Gradient Tool}} from the {{l|Category:Toolbox|Toolbox}} ({{l|Blend Method Parameter#Composite|Composite}} Blend Method), press the left mouse button on the canvas, drag to change the gradient direction and release the button when you are done. You should note that another layer was added in the {{l|Layers Panel}} called '''Gradient'''. This is nothing special.
  
Now there are two ways to proceed. In the first way, pick the [[Gradient Tool|gradient tool]] from the Synfig [[Toolbox]], and click into the canvas once. You should note that another layer was added in the [[Layers Dialog]] called 'Gradient'. This is nothing special. If you see no gradient but just a plain color, pick the [[Normal Tool|normal tool]], click into the canvas to acivate the gradient's ducks. You need to grab the one you see and move it a bit until a gradient appears.
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[[Image:Adding Layer-tutorial-2 0.63.06.png|frame|center]]
  
You now have a gradient but it is not what you wanted: It spreads the whole canvas and the goal was to have a gradient on the rectangle. Let's fix this now.
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{{Note|Note|If you see no gradient but just a plain color, that means that you probably just clicked on the canvas without dragging your mouse. To fix that pick the {{l|Transform Tool|Transform Tool}}, click into the canvas to activate the gradient's handles. You need to grab the one you see and move it a bit until a gradient appears.}}
  
Select the gradient and the rectangle layer in the [[Layers Dialog]]. They should appear with a blue background now. Then, context-click (ie. right-click on Windows and Linux) and select '[[Encapsulate]]' from the menu. The view of your layer tab should change now, showing a small box called '[[Inline Canvas]]' with an arrow in front. If you click the arrow, it will unfold and show your previous two layers; the gradient and the rectangle.
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{{Note|Note|If you see a spiral gradient, go to the [[Tool_Options_Panel]] and change Layer Type to linear by clicking on the far left icon.}}
  
You can treat this layer like any other layer -- move it around, duplicate it, copy and paste it. You'll notice an arrow next to the icon of the box. By clicking on this arrow, you can expand the inline canvas to see its contents.  
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You now have a gradient, but it is not what you wanted: it spreads across the whole canvas. The goal was to have a gradient in the rectangle. So, let's fix this now.
  
If you want to change the name of it to something more descriptive, just select the layer in the layer tab and click on its label. Then you just edit it in place. You can do this for ANY layer, and are strongly encouraged to do so.
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In the {{l|Layers Panel}}, select both the gradient and the rectangle layer. Then, right-click and select {{Literal|Group Layer}} from the menu. The view of your Layers Panel should change now, showing a small box called {{l|Group Layer|Group}} with a &#x25b6; in front. By clicking on the &#x25b6; you can expand the group layer to see its contents, your previous two layers: the gradient and the rectangle.
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[[Image:Adding Layer-tutorial-3 0.63.06.png|frame|center]]
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You can treat this layer like any other layer &mdash; move it around, duplicate it, copy and paste it.  If you want to change the name of it to something more descriptive, just select the layer in the layer tab and click on its label. Then you just edit it in place. You can do this for ANY layer, and are strongly encouraged to do so.
  
 
== Using locality ==
 
== Using locality ==
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However, there is still a problem: the gradient still covers the whole canvas although we wanted it to be restricted on the rectangle. To do so, activate the gradient layer in the Layers Panel. Now go to the {{l|Parameters Panel}} (by default it resides in the bottom window), and search for the attribute called {{l|Blend_Method_Parameter|Blend Method}}. Double-click the entry and select {{l|Blend_Method_Parameter#Onto|Onto}} from the drop-down menu.
  
However, there is still a problem: The gradient still covers the whole canvas althought we wanted it to be restricted on the rectangle. To do so, activate the gradient layer in the Layer tab. Now go to the [[Params Dialog]] (by default a tab in the Params-Children-Keyframes window), and search the attribute called '[[Blend Method]]'. Double-click the entry and select '[[Blend Method#Onto|Onto]]' from the appearing drop-down menu.
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[[Image:Adding Layer-tutorial-4 0.63.06.png|frame|center]]
  
The gradient should now be restricted to the rectangle. Congratulations! You just made your first interacting layers with Synfig.
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The gradient should now be restricted to the rectangle. Congratulations! You just made your first effect by interacting layers with Synfig.
  
If only for the additional organization, encapsulating layers into inline canvases dramatically improves the ease of use of Synfig Studio. But lots of programs can do this. The concept of scope as just demonstrated sets Synfig apart from other programs with layer hierarchies.
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[[Image:Adding Layer-tutorial-5 0.63.06.png|frame|center|The gradient is restricted to the rectangle. You will found more informations about the various {{literal|Blend Method}} in the {{l|Blend_Method_Parameter}} documentation.]]
  
''Note: The following remarks seem to be outdated already! A [[Blur Layer|blur]] defaults to '[[Blend Method#Straight|Straight]]' here (using SVN 110).'' -- --[[User:Claus|Claus]] 06:45, 11 Jan 2006 (PST)
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If only for the additional organization, grouping layers dramatically improves the ease of use of Synfig Studio. But lots of programs can do this. The concept of ''scope'' as just demonstrated sets Synfig apart from other programs with layer hierarchies. The key point is that a layer, inside it's own group, will '''only''' modify the data contained by all the layers and groups '''below''' it. In other words, if you were to throw a {{l|Blur Layer}} on top of the layers inside the {{l|Group Layer|group layer}} we created, it would just blur them &mdash; anything under the group layer would not be blurred! Let's try it.
:''It defaulted to composite for me, as described (using SVN 147)'' [[User:Matumio|Matumio]] 07:56, 12 Mar 2006 (PST)
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However, a layer can only modify the data that it gets from directly below it. In other words, if you were to throw a [[Blur Layer]] at the top of the objects inside the [[Inline Canvas|inline canvas]] we just created, it would just blur them -- anything under it would not be blurred!
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== Using layers to modify other layers==
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Make sure you have the group layer selected and create two red {{l|Circle Tool|circles}}. They will appear on top of the group layer. Select the group layer and use the {{Literal|Raise Layer}} button in the Layers Panel to place it on top of the circles.
  
Lets try it. Add a few circles under the inline canvas we just created. Expand the inline canvas to show its contents, and select the top layer inside of it (should be the "Outline" layer). This is where we want to insert the blur. Right click on the selected layer and a popup menu will appear. The first item in that popup is "New Layer". Inside of the "New Layer" menu, you'll see several categories of layers you could create, but what we want is a blur, so goto the Blur category and select the "Blur" layer. (so that would be "New Layer->[[Blur Layer Category|Blurs]]->[[Blur Layer|Blur]]")
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[[Image:Adding-Layer-tutorial-6-raise-layer-0.63.06.png|center|frame]]
  
Well, it blurred... but something is not quite right--the inside edge of the outline is now all soft, but it still kinda looks like there is a hard edge on the outside. It is doing this because the blend method of the blur defaulted to "[[Blend Method#Composite|Composite]]" (you can change the [[New Layer Defaults#Default Blend Method|default blend method]] for new layers from the [[New Layer Defaults]] section of the [[Toolbox]]). What we want is a blend method of "[[Blend Method#Straight|Straight]]". Just select the blur layer, and change the [[Blend Method]] to "[[Blend Method#Straight|Straight]]" in the [[Params Dialog]].  
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Now our group layer (with rectangle and gradient) is in front of those two circles.
  
(NOTE: I will probably change the way that default blend methods are handled in the future--as the way it is currently handled seems to only create hassles like this)
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[[Image:Adding-Layer-tutorial-7-0.63.06.png|center|frame]]
  
Ok, now we have all of the contents of the inline canvas blurred, but everything under it is sharp!
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Expand the group layer to show its contents, and select the top layer inside of it (should be the gradient layer). This is where we want to insert the new layer. Create another circle filled with a black color. The black circle layer will be created over the gradient layer inside the group layer.
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[[Image:Adding-Layer-tutorial-8-0.63.06.png|center|frame]]
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Now, right click on the black circle layer in the layers panel and a popup menu will appear. The first item in that popup is {{Literal|New Layer}}. Inside of the {{Literal|New Layer}} menu, you'll see several categories of layers you could create, but what we want is a blur, so go to the blurs category and select the {{Literal|Blur}} layer (so that would be {{c|New Layer|Blurs|Blur}}).
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 +
[[Image:Adding-Layer-tutorial-11-0.63.06.png|frame|center]]
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It blurred! Has the blend method for newly created blur is {{Literal|Straight}} (if the default blend method in the Toolbox is set to {{Literal|By Layer Default}}) it blurred all around the outside edge of the contents of the group layer. You can change the {{l|New Layer Defaults#Default Blend Method|default blend method}} for new layers from the {{l|New Layer Defaults}} section of the Toolbox.
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{{Note|Note|In the Synfig version before {{Literal|0.62.02}} , the blend method for newly created blur layers was defaulted to {{Literal|Composite}}, that cause the outside edge of the contents of the group layer is still sharp. What we want is a blend method of {{Literal|Straight}}. Just select the blur layer, and change the Blend Method to {{Literal|Straight}} in the Parameters Panel.
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[[Image:Adding-Layer-tutorial-10-composite-blur-0.63.06.png|center|frame]]}}
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 +
Ok, now we have all of the contents of the group layer blurred, but everything under it is sharp! This is because the effect of the Blur Layer over the underlying layers is limited to the scope of the group layer because the blur layer is inside it.
 +
  You can download the [[File:Doc Adding Layers.sif|sif]] used for this example
  
 
== Digging further... ==
 
== Digging further... ==
  
If you care to look into Synfig's main menu 'Layer > New Layer' you will note quite a lot of different possibilities for making layers. Several of them sound rather unusual; '[[Transform Layers Category|Transform]] > [[Rotate Layer|Rotate]]' for example. You can use this to add new attributes to your objects. And just like other, basic attributes in the [[Animation Basics|previous animation tutorial]], you can change them to be different on certain [[Keyframes|keyframes]]. Synfig will take care of interpolating the steps in between.
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If you care to look into Synfig's main menu under {{c|Layer|New Layer}} you will note quite a lot of different possibilities for making layers. Several of them sound rather unusual, like {{c|Transform|Rotate}} for example. You can use this to add new attributes to your objects. And just like other, basic attributes in the {{L|Doc:Animation Basics|previous animation tutorial}}, you can change them to be different on certain {{L|Keyframe|keyframes}}. Synfig will take care of interpolating the steps in between.
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For example, you could create a {{L|Doc:Creating Shapes|shape}} and add a {{L|Rotate Layer}} over it. Combine this with the lesson learned in the {{L|Doc:Animation Basics|last tutorial}} and you will obtain a rotating effect. This technique is used for the creation of {{L|Doc:Cut-out Animation}}.
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Let's continue digging further on {{l|Doc:Creating Shapes|shapes creation}}.
  
For example, you could create a [[Star Layer|star]] from the [[Layer Menu]], add a [[Rotate Layer]]. Combine this with the lesson learned in the [[Animation Basics|last tutorial]] and you can create a rotating star. Change its color, too, and you'll get a quite impressive effect for 2 minutes of work.
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{{Navigation|Category:Manual|Doc:Creating_Shapes}}

Latest revision as of 00:12, 7 February 2019

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Navigation Navigation:  <<Manual>>


Introduction

In the previous tutorial, you made your first simple animation by changing the attributes of primitive objects, such as: position, color, and size. These simple types, however, are seldom sufficient to create advanced characters and objects. To do so, Synfig uses layers. They are similar to layers used in other drawing applications in that they are used to separate different elements of an image.

However, Synfig's layers have following important specific:

  1. Every object or element gets its own layer.
  2. You can organize layers into hierarchical groups.
  3. You can use upper layers to change the behavior (or look) of underlying layers. Those are called filter layers or effect layers.

As you will see, layers are an extremely important aspect of Synfig, much more so than most graphics programs. Understanding the concept of layers is an important part in understanding how Synfig works.

Combining layers

So let's look at a simple example of how we can combine two layers to create a gradient effect on a rectangle.

Create a new file with any duration. There's no need to bother with a timeline at this point. Next, create a simple rectangle with the Rectangle Tool.

Adding-layers-tutorial-1 0.63.06.png

Pick the Gradient Tool from the Toolbox (Composite Blend Method), press the left mouse button on the canvas, drag to change the gradient direction and release the button when you are done. You should note that another layer was added in the Layers Panel called Gradient. This is nothing special.

Adding Layer-tutorial-2 0.63.06.png

Note

If you see no gradient but just a plain color, that means that you probably just clicked on the canvas without dragging your mouse. To fix that pick the Transform Tool, click into the canvas to activate the gradient's handles. You need to grab the one you see and move it a bit until a gradient appears.
note end


Note

If you see a spiral gradient, go to the Tool_Options_Panel and change Layer Type to linear by clicking on the far left icon.
note end


You now have a gradient, but it is not what you wanted: it spreads across the whole canvas. The goal was to have a gradient in the rectangle. So, let's fix this now.

In the Layers Panel, select both the gradient and the rectangle layer. Then, right-click and select "Group Layer" from the menu. The view of your Layers Panel should change now, showing a small box called Group with a ▶ in front. By clicking on the ▶ you can expand the group layer to see its contents, your previous two layers: the gradient and the rectangle.

Adding Layer-tutorial-3 0.63.06.png

You can treat this layer like any other layer — move it around, duplicate it, copy and paste it. If you want to change the name of it to something more descriptive, just select the layer in the layer tab and click on its label. Then you just edit it in place. You can do this for ANY layer, and are strongly encouraged to do so.

Using locality

However, there is still a problem: the gradient still covers the whole canvas although we wanted it to be restricted on the rectangle. To do so, activate the gradient layer in the Layers Panel. Now go to the Parameters Panel (by default it resides in the bottom window), and search for the attribute called Blend Method. Double-click the entry and select Onto from the drop-down menu.

Adding Layer-tutorial-4 0.63.06.png

The gradient should now be restricted to the rectangle. Congratulations! You just made your first effect by interacting layers with Synfig.

The gradient is restricted to the rectangle. You will found more informations about the various "Blend Method" in the Blend Method documentation.

If only for the additional organization, grouping layers dramatically improves the ease of use of Synfig Studio. But lots of programs can do this. The concept of scope as just demonstrated sets Synfig apart from other programs with layer hierarchies. The key point is that a layer, inside it's own group, will only modify the data contained by all the layers and groups below it. In other words, if you were to throw a Blur Layer on top of the layers inside the group layer we created, it would just blur them — anything under the group layer would not be blurred! Let's try it.

Using layers to modify other layers

Make sure you have the group layer selected and create two red circles. They will appear on top of the group layer. Select the group layer and use the "Raise Layer" button in the Layers Panel to place it on top of the circles.

Adding-Layer-tutorial-6-raise-layer-0.63.06.png

Now our group layer (with rectangle and gradient) is in front of those two circles.

Adding-Layer-tutorial-7-0.63.06.png

Expand the group layer to show its contents, and select the top layer inside of it (should be the gradient layer). This is where we want to insert the new layer. Create another circle filled with a black color. The black circle layer will be created over the gradient layer inside the group layer.

Adding-Layer-tutorial-8-0.63.06.png

Now, right click on the black circle layer in the layers panel and a popup menu will appear. The first item in that popup is "New Layer". Inside of the "New Layer" menu, you'll see several categories of layers you could create, but what we want is a blur, so go to the blurs category and select the "Blur" layer (so that would be "New Layer → Blurs → Blur").

Adding-Layer-tutorial-11-0.63.06.png

It blurred! Has the blend method for newly created blur is "Straight" (if the default blend method in the Toolbox is set to "By Layer Default") it blurred all around the outside edge of the contents of the group layer. You can change the default blend method for new layers from the New Layer Defaults section of the Toolbox.

Note

In the Synfig version before "0.62.02" , the blend method for newly created blur layers was defaulted to "Composite", that cause the outside edge of the contents of the group layer is still sharp. What we want is a blend method of "Straight". Just select the blur layer, and change the Blend Method to "Straight" in the Parameters Panel.
Adding-Layer-tutorial-10-composite-blur-0.63.06.png
note end


Ok, now we have all of the contents of the group layer blurred, but everything under it is sharp! This is because the effect of the Blur Layer over the underlying layers is limited to the scope of the group layer because the blur layer is inside it.

 You can download the File:Doc Adding Layers.sif used for this example

Digging further...

If you care to look into Synfig's main menu under "Layer → New Layer" you will note quite a lot of different possibilities for making layers. Several of them sound rather unusual, like "Transform → Rotate" for example. You can use this to add new attributes to your objects. And just like other, basic attributes in the previous animation tutorial, you can change them to be different on certain keyframes. Synfig will take care of interpolating the steps in between.

For example, you could create a shape and add a Rotate Layer over it. Combine this with the lesson learned in the last tutorial and you will obtain a rotating effect. This technique is used for the creation of Cut-out Animation.

Let's continue digging further on shapes creation.

Navigation Navigation:  <<Manual>>


Languages Language: 

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